Chorus.
Griefs many, woes that Barbary now endures
And shall endure hereafter wring my heart.
Queen.
O Fate, how endless is the train of sorrow
That entereth my soul! But there's no pang
That gnaws with keener tooth than picturing
My son, his royal person clothed wtih shame
And trappings of dishonour. I will hence
And take me handsome robes and make essay
To meet him. In the hour of evil fortune
We'll not be false to all we hold! most dear.
Chorus.
All of earth's fullness was ours, all the spacious
Amplitude life yields or law can uphold,
When the unvanquished, the grief less, all-gracious,
Godlike Darius ruled Persia of old.
Glory of conquest and gift of good order
His statutes bestowed and our armies achieved;
Joyous and fresh they came back to our border,
In strength unexhausted, with triumph received.
What commonwealths he captive took
And never once his home forsook
Nor Halys' river passed;
Daughters of Acheloan race,
Where thunder on the shores of Thrace
Strymonian billows vast.
